Jingle Juice is our go to bourbon Christmas cocktail when the host wants something that feels cozy and seasonal but still drinks like a proper whiskey sour. It blends bourbon, cranberry juice, lemon juice and maple syrup with a sugared rosemary and cranberry garnish, so it hits all the holiday notes without being cloyingly sweet.
We first started batching a Jingle Juice style drink for office holiday parties where guests were moving between stations and did not want to stand at the bar for long. We kept a pre chilled base in mixing bottles, shook each drink to order and finished with sugared cranberries. The maple gives you that subtle tree and baking spice vibe while cranberry and lemon keep it bright, so people who usually say they are not whiskey drinkers are often surprised by how fast this one disappears.
How to Make Jingle Juice
- Make the sugared rosemary and cranberries. Toss the cranberries and rosemary in simple syrup until lightly coated. Roll them in granulated sugar, then transfer to a parchment lined plate and let them dry for at least 20 to 30 minutes so the sugar sets.
- Chill the glass. Fill a rocks glass or coupe with ice and water while you build the drink, or place it in the freezer so it is well chilled by the time you are ready to pour.
- Add ingredients to the shaker. In a cocktail shaker, combine the bourbon, cranberry juice, lemon juice, maple syrup and saline solution if using.
- Shake with ice. Add ice to the shaker, seal and shake hard for 12 to 15 seconds until the outside of the shaker feels very cold and frosty.
- Strain, garnish and serve. Discard the ice and water from the chilled glass. Strain the cocktail into the glass, either over fresh ice for a rocks serve or without ice if using a coupe. Garnish with a sugared rosemary sprig and a few sugared cranberries on a pick.
Bartender notes
- Use a bourbon with some caramel and vanilla notes rather than something overly smoky so it plays well with the cranberry and maple.
- Maple syrup is sweeter than simple syrup, so start with 1/2 ounce and only increase if your crowd likes a sweeter drink.
- Saline lets you season the drink the way chefs season food. Two to three drops are enough to round the edges without tasting salty.
Jingle Juice Variations
- Jingle Juice punch for a crowd. For 10 servings, combine 2 cups bourbon, 2 cups cranberry juice, 3/4 cup lemon juice and 1/2 to 3/4 cup maple syrup in a pitcher. Chill, then pour over ice in a punch bowl and garnish with cranberries and rosemary. Taste and adjust sweetness and citrus before serving.
- Spiced Jingle Juice. Add two cinnamon sticks and a few whole cloves to the batch and let them infuse in the fridge for a few hours. Strain out the spices before serving so the drink does not become too intense.
- Bubbly Jingle Juice. Build the cocktail with 1 1/2 ounces bourbon, 1 1/2 ounces cranberry juice, 1/2 ounce lemon juice and 1/2 ounce maple syrup, shake and strain into a wine glass with ice, then top with a splash of dry prosecco or sparkling wine.
- Zero proof Jingle Juice. Swap the bourbon for a non alcoholic whiskey alternative or simply omit it. Increase the cranberry juice slightly and add a splash of ginger beer over ice for a festive mocktail version.
Serving Suggestions
We like to serve Jingle Juice as the first round when guests arrive at December house parties and holiday open houses. It is fast for the bar to execute, feels seasonal in the glass and pairs well with most appetizers, especially salty and savory bites like cheese boards, baked brie, sausage rolls and roasted nuts.
For bigger gatherings, set out a Jingle Juice punch bowl with sugared rosemary and cranberries in small dishes so guests can decorate their own. You can round out your menu with lighter bubbles and a non alcoholic punch. For more ideas, visit our Christmas cocktail recipes guide and the full cocktail recipes collection.
Make Ahead and Storage
- You can batch the bourbon, cranberry juice, lemon juice and maple syrup in a sealed container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
- Shake each serving with ice to order so the dilution and texture stay consistent.
- Sugared cranberries and rosemary can be made a few hours ahead. Keep them on a tray at room temperature where they stay dry and crisp.
- Leftover batched base without ice will keep for one to two days in the fridge, but the fresh citrus is best on day one.
Nutrition Information
Approximate values per cocktail. Actual numbers will vary based on the specific bourbon and cranberry juice you use.
- Calories: 220
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Sugar: 19 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Fat: 0 g
- Sodium: 20 mg
More Christmas Bourbon and Holiday Cocktails
If you are planning a bigger holiday party and not sure how much liquor to buy for your bar setup, start with our Alcohol Shopping List Calculator. When you are ready to have a professional team handle the mixing, garnishes and cleanup, visit our bartender booking page to check availability.
Jingle Juice FAQs
What is Jingle Juice?
Jingle Juice is a holiday bourbon cocktail that typically combines whiskey with cranberry juice, citrus and a sweetener like maple syrup. Our version is a shaken drink that blends bourbon, cranberry juice, lemon juice and maple, finished with sugared rosemary and cranberries for a festive garnish.
What alcohol is Jingle Juice made with?
Most Jingle Juice recipes use bourbon or another style of whiskey as the base spirit. Some party punch style versions use vodka, rum or sparkling wine instead, but this recipe is built specifically around bourbon for a richer, more classic holiday flavor.
Is Jingle Juice the same as jungle juice?
No. Jungle juice is usually a large batch mixed drink with multiple spirits and fruit juices that is designed for volume rather than balance. Jingle Juice is a more refined, measured cocktail that focuses on bourbon, cranberry, lemon and maple and can be served individually or scaled into a punch while still staying balanced.
Can I make Jingle Juice as a pitcher cocktail?
Yes. Combine the bourbon, cranberry juice, lemon juice and maple syrup in a pitcher and chill, then pour over ice for service and garnish each glass with cranberries and rosemary. Wait to add ice until shortly before serving so the drink does not become watered down.
Can I make Jingle Juice without alcohol?
For a zero proof Jingle Juice, leave out the bourbon and replace it with additional cranberry juice and a splash of ginger beer or non alcoholic whiskey alternative. Keep the lemon and maple the same for a drink that has the same holiday profile and presentation without the alcohol.
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